Yieldable belt connection



June 4, 1957 c, LEGAT 2,794,226

YIELDABLE BELT CONNECTION Fild April 5, 1954 INVENTOR. ROBE/er CCLEGAT A TTORNEYS United States Patent 2,794,226 YIELDABLE BELT CONNECTION Robert .C. Legat, New Britain, Conan, assiguor to The G. E. Prentice Mfg. (30., Kensington, Conn., 21 corporation of Connecticut Application April 5, 1954, Serial No. 420,807 8 Ciaims. (Cl. 24-163) This invention relates to belts and has for its general object the provision of an improved stretchable belt construction.

A more particular object of the invention is to provide a stretchable belt of the type in which all or a substantial portion of the stretch is obtained from the parts connecting the ends of the belt together, and in which such connecting parts are of such neat and simple construction as to provide an attractive and decorative appearance when the belt is closed.

Another object of the invention is to provide a stretchable belt of the indicated type in which the ends thereof are connected in a simple and positive manner without the aid of the usual buckle tongue construction.

A further object of the invention is to provide a yieldvabl'e belt connection or securing device of simple, sturdy construction that can be readily manufactured in quantity at relatively low cost.

Other objects of the invention as Well as the advantages and novel features of construction thereof, will become apparent after a perusal of the following description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l. is a front view of the connected ends of a belt embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a rear View of the par-ts shown in Fig. l and partly in section; the section being taken along the line 2--2 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 3 is a side view of the parts shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 44 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is an end view looking from the right of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a rear view of one of the parts from which the securing means is formed; and

Fig. 7 is a rear view of the slid-able member combined with the part shown in Fig. 6.

In the drawings, the reference numeral 10 designates one end of the strap of the belt, and the reference numeral 11, the other end of such strap. The ends of the strap are not formed to provide folded or looped portions as is usual in belts, but both of such ends are of a single, uniform thickness throughout their lengths. The strap may be made partly of stretchable and non-stretchable materials or may be constituted of a single strip of nonstretchable material. Should the strap be made partly of stretchable material, it is preferred that the ends 10 and 11 thereof be made of non-stretchable material such as leather, plastic material or the like.

Removably attached to end 11. of the strap is a connecting device designated generally by the numeral 12 and composed of a piece of sheet metal formed to provide a substantially rectangularly-shaped body portion 13 having a Width at least as great as the widths of strap ends 10 and 11, and a length substantially greater than its width. The body portion 13 :is superimposed on the front face of strap end 11 and is connected to such strap end by a prong 14 which extends from the outer end edge Patented June 4-, 1957 of such body portion down through one of a series of openings 15 provided on strap end 11 and the free end of which is bent to underlie such strap end, as is shown more clearly in Fig. 4. The body portion 13 is also slidably connected to strap end 11 by a pair of ears 16, 16 integrally formed with the side edges of such body portion adjacent to the inner end edge thereof, and curved downwardly and inwardly toward each other to embrace the side edge portions of strap end 11. It will be seen that by reason of this construction, the device 12 will be secured in position on strap end 11 against any stresses tending to force it 1 if such strap end and yet may be readily adjusted to different positions on strap end 11 by longitudinally moving the device on such strap end to withdraw the prong 14 from its engaged opening 15 and to cause it to engage another opening 15.

Integral with the side edges of the body portion 13 outwardly of the cars 16, 16, is a pair of elongated extensions shaped to provide cylindrical housings 17, 17 for springs 18, 18. The outer ends of the housings 17, 17 are closed by bent ears 19, 19 which form seats for the springs at such ends of the housings. It will be noted from Figs. 2 and S of the drawings, that the housing extensions are so formed that opposed longitudinal slots 20 are provided in the housings adjacent to the outer surfaces of the side edge portions of body portion 13 and that from the outer ends of such slots the housings are entirely closed. The length of the slots 20 is greater than one-half the length of the housings 17. Slidably mounted on the outer surface of the body portion 13 is a flat member 21 formed from a flat piece of sheet metal and having a width greater than such body portion so that its ends extend through the slots 20, 2t), and into the housings 17, 17. The slide member 21 is provided at its ends with outwardly extending legs 22, 22 which project into the inner ends of the coiled springs 18, 18 (note Fig. 2). The springs normally maintain the slide member 21 in a retracted position, with its inner edge in engagement with stops 23 integrally formed with the material of the housings and bent to extend across the inner ends of such housings, as shown more clearly in Fig. 5 of the drawings. The central portion of slider member 21 is provided with an opening having an inner enlarged portion 24 and an outer reduced portion 25; the said two portions being longitudinally disposed. The opening of member 21 is in registry with an elongated longitudinally extending opening '26 provided in body portion 13 and having a width substantially equal to the diameter of the enlarged portion 24 of the opening in member 21.

Secured to end 11) of the belt strap is a stud having an ornamental head 3%, a shank '31 which extends through an opening in strap end 10 and a knob 32. The stud knob 32 is disc-shaped and has a thickness substantially equal to the thickness of body portion 13 and a diameter less than the diameter of the enlarged portion 24 of the opening in member 21, but greater than the transverse dimension of the reduced portion 25 of such recess. The stud shank 31 has a diameter less than the transverse dimension of the reduced opening portion 25 and a length such that when the stud head 30 engages the outer surface of strap end 10, the knob 32 of such stud can be positioned in the opening 26 between the slide member 21 and the outer surface of strap end 11, as shown more clearly in Fig. 4 of the drawings.

It will be understood from the foregoing that in attaching the strap ends together, the stud knob 32is inserted through the enlarged opening portion 24 of slide member 21 and into the opening 26 of body portion 13 by pressing on the head .30 of the stud. The length of opening 26 is such that the opening portions 24 will always be aligned or in communication therewith when the slide member 21 is fully retracted against the stops 23, and throughout the range of movement of such slide rela- -tive to body portion 13 (note Fig. 2). When the stud knob has been so inserted and while still exerting pressure on the head 30, the shank 31 is entered into the reduced opening portion 25 to latch the knob with the edges defining the latter and thereby securing the stud t the connecting device 12. As shown in Fig. 7 of the drawings, the entry end of reduced opening portion 25 may be formed by two spring fingers 25, 25, cut out of the material of member 21 and shaped to yieldably retain the shank in such opening portion until positively removed therefrom. With the stud so connected to the device 12, any longitudinal stress on the belt will cause the plate body portion 13 through the prong 14 to become more firmly anchored to the strap end 11 and will cause the slide member 21 to move outwardly against the yielding tension of the springs 18, 18 to a position where the longitudinal stress on the belt will be balanced by the built-up force in the contracted springs. The slide bar 21 can be advanced approximately one-half an inch in the construction illustrated, before the stud knob 32 engages the outer end of the opening 26 and the slide member 21 engages the outer ends of the slots 20 to prevent any further movement of the slide bar or member 21 relative to the body portion 13. This range of movement is believed to be sufficient for all normal requirements of needed stretch in the belt for a particular adjustment of the body portion 13 on the strap end 11, but may be increased or reduced by modifying the construction of the parts, as will be readily understood. As soon as the need for stretch has ceased, the stored-up energy in the springs 18, 18 will retract the slide member 21 until the latter engages the stops 23, 23 or arrives at some intermediate position where the springs will balance any remaining force on the belt strap. During such movements of the member 21 and the stud and strap end 10 therewith relative to the device 12, such parts will be guided in their movements by housings 17, 17 and the coaction of the stud knob 32 and opening Zn in body portion 13. The strap ends may be readily disengaged at any position of the slide member 21 by gripping the housings 17, 17 of the device 12 and strap end 10 so as to cause the shank 31 of the stud to move out of the reduced opening portion into the enlarged opening portion 24 and to cause the stud knob 32 to be Withdrawn through such opening portion 24.

The yieldable connection of applicants belt is attractive and neat in appearance, and can be varied to suit the wearers taste by utilizing studs having heads of different shapes or design features. The connection parts when interlocked provide a compact attaching device of sturdy and efiicient construction and of such simplicity in con struction that it can be made at relatively low cost and in large numbers by the usual blank forming types of machines.

While I have described and illustrated a preferred form of my invention, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that changes therein and modifications thereof may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A yieldable connection for two end parts of a strap or the like comprising a connecting device having a plate member superimposed in substantially flat relation on a surface of one of said parts and provided with longitudinally extending guide means, means connecting said member to said one part to maintain the superimposed relation thereof in the use of the connection, a pair of longitudinally extending tubular housings connected to the side edges of said member and having longitudinally extending opposed slots, a resilient member located in each housing, a fixed seat in each housing for said resilient member, a transverse slide member superimposed on said plate member and having its ends extending through such housing slots and into engagement with said resilient members, said slide member being slidably movable in said slots longitudinally of said device and being normally maintained by said resilient members in a retracted position, stop members on said housings for limiting the movement of said slide member in a retracting direction, said slide member having an opening aligned with the guide means of said plate member, the opening having enlarged and reduced portions longitudinally disposed, and a stud connected to the other part and having a knob portion formed t0 be passed through the enlarged opening portion of said slide member and into coacting relation with the guide means of said plate member, and said stud having a shank portion to be received by the reduced opening portion of said slide member to latch said stud and said other part to said slide member.

2. A yieldable connection for two end parts of a strap or the like comprising a connecting device having a plate member superimposed in substantially flat relation on a surface of one of said parts and provided with a longitudinally extending guide means, a member projecting from the outer end edge of said plate member and engageable with one of a series of openings in said one part to connect said plate member to said part, a pair of guide members connected to the inner end of said plate member and slidably receiving said one part, said projecting member and said guide members coacting with said part and an opening thereof to maintain the superimposed relation of said member and part in the use of the connection, a pair of longitudinally extending tubular housings connected to the side edges of said member and having longitudinally extending opposed slots, a coiled spring located on each housing, an outer fixed seat in each housing for the outer end of said spring and an inner stop member on each housing for a slide member, a transverse slide member superimposed on said plate member and having its ends extending through said slots into engagement with the inner ends of said springs, said slide member being slidably movable in said slots longitudinally of said device and being normally maintained by said springs in retracted position against said stop members, said slide member having an opening aligned with the guide means of said plate member, the opening having enlarged and reduced portions longitudinally disposed, and a stud connected to said other part and having a knob portion formed to be passed through the enlarged opening portion of said slide member and into coacting relation with the guide means of said plate member, and said stud having a shank portion to be received by the reduced opening portion'of said slide member to latch said stud and the said other part to said slide member.

3. A yieldable connection for two end parts of a strap or the like comprising a connecting device having a plate member superimposed in substantially flat relation on a surface of one of said parts and provided with a longitudinally extending opening, a member projecting from the outer end edge of said plate member and engageable with one of a series of openings in said one part to conmeet the said member to the said part, a pair of cars connected to the side edges of said plate member at the inner end of said plate member and formed to slidably receive such part, said projecting member and said ears coacting with said part and an opening thereof to maintain the superimposed relation of said member and part in the use of the connection, a pair of longitudinally extending tubular housings connected to the side edges of said member outwardly of said ears and having opposed, longitudinally extending slots, the outer end of each housing being provided with a spring seat and the inner end of each housing being provided with a stop, a coiled spring located in each housing and having the outer end there of engaging said spring seat, a transverse slide member superimposed-on said plate member and having its ends extending through said slots into engagement with the inner ends of said springs, said slide member being slidably movable in said slots longitudinally of said device and being normally maintained by said springs in retracted position against said stops, said slide member having an opening aligned with the opening of said plate member and including an enlarged inner portion and a reduced outer portion, and a stud connected to the other part and having a knob portion formed to be passed through said enlarged inner opening portion into coacting relation with the elongated opening of said plate member, and said stud having a shank portion to be received by said reduced outer opening portion when said knob portion of the stud is moved in said elongated opening to a position under said reduced outer opening portion.

4. A yieldable connection for two end parts of a strap or the like comprising plate means superimposed in substantially fiat relation on a surface of one of said parts, said plate means including a transverse section having means for removably engaging one of a series of openings in said one part to connect the said member to the said part and including a transverse section provided with means for slidably receiving such part, said engaging means and said receiving means coacting with said part and an opening thereof to maintain the superimposed relation of said plate means and part in the use of the connection, said transverse sections being laterally spaced and said plate means being provided with a centrally located longitudinally extending opening, a pair of longitudinally extending tubular housings connected to the side edges of said plate means and having opposed, longitudinally extending slots, each of said housings being provided with a spring seat at one end of its slot, stop means at the other end of said slots, a coiled spring seated in each of said housings, a transverse slide member superimposed on said plate means and having its ends extending through said housing slots into engagement with the unseated ends of said springs, said slide member being slidably movable in said slots longitudinally of said device and being normally maintained by said springs in retracted position against said stop means, said slide member having an opening communicating with the opening of said plate means and including an enlarged portion and a reduced portion longitudinally aligned, a fastening member connected to the other of said parts and including a shank portion to be received by said reduced opening portion and a knob portion formed to be passed through said enlarged opening portion and having a transverse dimension greater than the transverse dimension of said reduced opening portion, said knob portion being'movable in the opening of said plate means to a position between said slide member 4 and said first mentioned part.

5. A yieldable connection such as defined in claim 4, including spring means integral with the slide member for retaining the shank of said fastening member in the reduced portion of the opening in said slide member until positively removed therefrom.

6. A yieldable connection for two end parts of a strap or the like comprising a connecting device including a plate member and means for connecting said member to one of said parts, a pair of longitudinally extending tubular housings connected to the side edges of said member and having longitudinally extending opposed slots, a spring located in each housing, said plate member being provided with an elongated opening extending in spaced parallel relation between said tubular housings, a slide member superimposed on said plate member between said housings and having its ends extending through such housing slots into engagement with said springs, said slide member being slidably movable in said slots longitudinally of said plate member and being normally maintained by said springs in a retracted position, said slide member having an opening aligned with the elongated opening of said plate member, and a stud connected at one end to the other of said parts and having at the other end of its shank a latch knob formed to be passed through the member and to be received in the elongated opening of' said plate member, said knob having a thickness not greater thanthe thickness of said plate member so that it may be moved in said elongated opening to a position wherein said slide member will be located between said knob and said other part and will hold said knob in said elongated opening in latched relatiQn.

7. A yieldable connection for two end parts comprising a connecting device including a plate member having a front surface and means for connecting said member to one of said parts, a pair of longitudinally extending tubular housings connected to the side edges of said member and having longitudinally extending opposed slots, said housings defining the longitudinal edges of the front surface of said plate member, a spring located in each housing, said plate member being provided with an elongated opening extending in spaced parallel relation between said tubular housings, a slide member slidably mounted on the front surface of said plate member between said housings and having its ends extending through such housing slots into engagement with said springs, said slide member having an opening aligned with the elongated opening of said plate member, said other part being adapted to be placed in superimposed relation on the front surface of said slide member and between said housings, and a stud insertable through an opening in said other part, said stud including an ornamental head portion to be positioned on the front surface of said other part, a shank position having a length greater than the thickness of said other part, and a latch knob portion formed to be passed through the opening of said slide member and to be received in the elongated opening of said plate member, said knob having a thickness not greater than the thickness of said plate member so that it may be moved in said elongated opening to a position wherein said slide member will be located between said knob and said other part and will hold said knob in said elongated opening in latched relation.

8. A yieldable connection for holding two end parts of a strap or the like in overlapped relation and constructed to be sandwiched between the overlapping portions of such two end parts, comprising a connecting device including a plate member, a pair of longitudinally extending tubular housings connected to the side edges of said member and having longitudinally extending opposed slots, a spring located in each housing, said plate member being provided with an elongated opening extending in spaced parallel relation between said tubular housings, a slide member superimposed on one surface of said plate member between said housings and having its ends extending through such housing slots into engagement with said springs, said slide member being slidably movable in said slots longitudinally over said surface of said plate member and being normally maintained by said springs in a retracted position, means on said plate mem her for connecting said member to an intermediate portion of one of said parts so that such intermediate portion may be superimposed in flat relation on the other surface of said plate member, and means for connecting said slide member to an intermediate portion of the other of said parts so that such intermediate portion may be superimposed in flat relation on the outer surface of said slide member and said plate member and slide member may be located between the intermediate portions of said parts, said second mentioned connecting means comprising a stud insertable through an opening in said other part and including a head portion, a shank portion having a length greater than the thickness of said other part, and a latch knob portion formed to be passed through an opening in said slide member aligned with the elongated opening of said plate member and to be received in the latter, said knob having such thickness as to enable it to be moved in said elongated opening to a position wherein said slide member will be located between said knob and said other opening of said slide 2,794,226 7 part and will hold said knob in said elongated opening 1,644,720 and with the latter will permit relative movement between the overlapped intermediate portions of said parts.

740,719 References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,456,130 Johnson et a1. May 22, 1923 Goldstein Oct. 11, 1927 FOREIGN PATENTS France Nov. 21, 1932 

